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Abstract:

A television receiver receives a programming signal including programming
content and EPG data. The television receiver receives a request for an
EPG display. The television receiver modifies the EPG data for one or
more records in the EPG data which include content ratings that exceed a
ratings lock setting of the television receiver. The television receiver
may modify the EPG data for one or more records in a variety of different
manners depending on a variety of different factors associated with the
records. The television receiver then generates the EPG display from the
modified EPG data and transmits the generated EPG display to a display
device. The modification of the EPG data may prevent display of
objectionable content in the EPG display and/or may indicate that the
records correspond to blocked programs.

Claims:

1. A method, comprising: receiving a programming signal at a television
receiver, the programming signal comprising a plurality of programming
content and electronic program guide (EPG) data, the EPG data comprising
a plurality of records, each record of the plurality of records
comprising a content rating and EPG display information; receiving a
request for an EPG display at the television receiver; retrieving a
content rating of at last one record of the plurality of records from the
EPG data; retrieving a ratings lock setting of the television receiver;
comparing the content rating to the ratings lock setting; determining a
first criteria regarding the ratings lock setting; modifying the EPG
data, utilizing at least one processing unit of the television receiver,
by altering the EPG display information for the at least one record of
the plurality of records in either a first manner or a second manner if
the content rating exceeds the ratings lock setting, wherein altering in
both the first manner and the second manner indicates that the content
rating exceeds the ratings lock setting, wherein the EPG display
information for the at least one record is modified in the first manner
if the first criteria is met and wherein the EPG display information for
the at least one record is modified in the second manner if the first
criteria is not met; generating the EPG display, utilizing the at least
one processor of the television receiver, based on the EPG data; and
transmitting the generated EPG display, utilizing the television
receiver, to a display device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the EPG display information comprises
program information to display for the respective record when generating
the EPG display and altering the EPG display information comprises:
removing at least a portion of the program information from the EPG
display information for the at least one record.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the EPG display information comprises a
color in which to display the respective record when generating the EPG
display and altering the EPG display information comprises: changing the
color for the at least one record.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the EPG display information comprises
an intensity for the respective record when generating the EPG display
and altering the EPG display information comprises: changing the
intensity for the at least one record.

5-9. (canceled)

10. A system, comprising: a communication component operable to receive a
programming signal, the programming signal comprising a plurality of
programming content and electronic programming guide (EPG) data, the EPG
data comprising a plurality of records, each record of the plurality of
records comprising a content rating and EPG display information; a user
interface component operable to receive a request for an EPG display; a
storage medium operable to store a ratings lock setting; and a processing
unit, communicably coupled to the communication component, the user
interface component, and the storage medium, the processing unit operable
to generate the EPG display and transmit the generated EPG display to a
display device; wherein the processing unit retrieves the content rating
for at least one record of the plurality of records, retrieves the
ratings lock setting, compares the content rating to the ratings lock
setting, and modifies the EPG data by altering the EPG display
information for the at least one record of the plurality of records when
the content rating exceeds the ratings lock setting, and wherein the
processing unit determines a first criteria regarding the ratings lock
setting and alters the EPG display information for the at least one
record in either a first manner or a second manner, wherein altering in
both the first manner and the second manner indicates that the content
rating exceeds the ratings lock setting, wherein the EPG display for the
at least one record is modified in the first manner if the first criteria
is met and wherein the EPG display information for the at least one
record is modified in the second manner if the first criteria is not met.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the EPG display information comprises
program information to display for the respective record when the EPG
display is generated and the processing unit alters the EPG display
information for the at least one record by removing at least a portion of
the program information from the EPG display information for the at least
one record.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the EPG display information comprises
a color in which to display the respective record when the EPG display is
generated and the processing unit alters the EPG display information for
the at least one record by changing the color for the at least one
record.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the EPG display information comprises
an intensity for the respective record when the EPG display is generated
and the processing unit alters the EPG display information for the at
least one record by changing the visual intensity for the at least one
record.

14-18. (canceled)

19. The system of claim 10, further comprising: the display device,
wherein the display device is communicably coupled to the processing
unit.

20. (canceled)

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to electronic program guides, and
more specifically to alteration of electronic program guide data based on
ratings lock.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional television receivers, such as set top boxes, cable
boxes, digital video receivers and so on, receive a programming signals
from programming providers, such as satellite or cable television
providers. These television receivers process the programming signals and
transmit programming from the programming signal to a display device,
such as a television. Some conventional television receivers include the
capability to block programming that may be objectionable to users. Such
television receivers may include a ratings lock (one example of a ratings
lock is a V-chip). The ratings lock may prevent the television receiver
from passing programming to the display device if the programming has
ratings that are prohibited by a ratings lock setting of the ratings
lock.

[0003] Some conventional television receivers also include the capability
to generate electronic program guide (EPG) displays. These EPG displays
present information associated with programming content to aid users in
navigating, selecting, and discovering programming content. Typically,
users request EPG displays from the television receivers (such as via a
remote control for a set top box). The television receivers then
generates the EPG display from EPG data included in the received
programming signal and transmits the EPG display to a display device.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses
for enhancing electronic program guide (EPG) displays by altering EPG
data based on ratings locks. A television receiver receives a programming
signal that includes programming content and EPG data. The television
receiver may process the programming signal and transmit the programming
content to a display device. The television receiver may include a
ratings lock, which may prevent transmission of programming if an
associated rating exceeds a value of the ratings lock.

[0005] The EPG data typically includes a plurality of records. Each record
may include information related to certain corresponding programming
content, such as a content rating, air time, and/or a channel identifier.
Each record may also include EPG display information that generally
specifies how to display the record when generating an EPG display. The
display information may include particular program information to
display, a color in which to display the record, and/or an intensity for
the record.

[0006] The television receiver may receive a request for an EPG display
and, in response, may modify the EPG data for one or more records in the
EPG data that have content ratings exceeding a ratings lock setting. Such
modification may occur in a variety of different manners depending on a
variety of different factors, providing flexibility in the alteration of
EPG data.

[0007] The television receiver then generates the EPG display from the
modified EPG data and transmits the generated EPG display to the display
device. The modification of the EPG data prevents display of information
in the one or more records in the EPG display and/or changes how the one
or more records are displayed in the EPG display. In this way, the EPG
display may provide enhanced functionality over EPG displays that do not
modify EPG data based on content ratings.

[0008] Preventing display of information in one or more records may
potentially prevent display of objectionable content. For example, a
sexually graphic description of a program may be objectionable to a user
and may be prevented from being displayed. Changing how one or more
records are displayed may indicate that the records correspond to blocked
programs. For example, displaying a record in red when other records are
displayed in blue may indicate to a user that the red record corresponds
to a program that cannot be viewed.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the
specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the
descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the
disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for altering
electronic program guide data based on a ratings lock, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a method diagram illustrating a method of altering
electronic program guide data which may be performed by the system of
FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3A illustrates a sample electronic program guide that may be
generated by the television receiver of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3B illustrates a sample electronic program guide with program
information omitted for some records that may be generated by the
television receiver of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3C illustrates a sample electronic program guide with some
records colored differently than other records that may be generated by
the television receiver of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3D illustrates a sample electronic program guide with the
program information for some records faded that may be generated by the
television receiver of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3E illustrates a sample electronic program guide with the
program information displayed in a strikethrough font for some records
that may be generated by the television receiver of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3F illustrates a sample electronic program guide with the
program information omitted for some records and some records colored
differently than other records that may be generated by the television
receiver of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3G illustrates a sample electronic program guide with some
records colored differently than other records and the program
information omitted for some records that may be generated by the
television receiver of FIG. 1; and

[0019]FIG. 3H illustrates a sample electronic program guide with the
program information omitted for some records and some records colored
differently than other records that may be generated by the television
receiver of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods,
techniques, instruction sequences, and/or computer program products that
embody techniques of the present disclosure. However, it is understood
that the described disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter
disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The present disclosure provides enhanced EPG displays by altering
EPG data based on ratings locks. A television receiver may receive a
request for an EPG display and may modify EPG data for one or more
records that include content ratings exceeding a ratings lock setting.
The modification may occur in a variety of different manners depending on
a variety of different factors, providing flexibility. The television
receiver may then generate the EPG display from the modified EPG data and
transmit the generated EPG display to a display device.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for altering
EPG data based on a ratings lock, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. System 100 includes television receiver 101,
programming event provider 102, and display device 103. The television
receiver 101 includes processing unit 104, storage medium 105,
communication component 106, and user interface 107.

[0023] The programming provider 102 may transmit a programming signal to
the system 101. The programming signal carries a plurality of programming
content and EPG data, which in turn includes a plurality of records. Each
record may include metadata, or information related to corresponding
programming content. The plurality of programming content may be tagged
with packet identifiers (PIDs), each PID specifying a channel identifier
corresponding to the programming content.

[0024] The communication component 106 may receive the programming signal
from the programming provider 102 via a communication path (not shown).
Such a communication path may take the form of a satellite communication
path, a cable communication path, a free-to-air communication path, a
terrestrial television communication path, a network communication path,
an Internet communication path, a radio communication path, a cellular
communication path, a local area network communication path, a wide area
network communication path, a wireless local area network communication
path, a plain old telephone system communication path, and so on.

[0025] The television receiver 101 may take the form of, or be part of, a
digital video recorder (DVR), a personal video recorder (PVR), or a
set-top box as well as any other television or audio/video receiver. The
processing unit 104 may be, but is not limited to, an integrated circuit
device such as a controller. The user interface 107 may include, but is
not limited to, one or more buttons, a wired or wireless signal receiver
(such as an infrared, Bluetooth®, radio frequency, HomeLink®, or
other signal receiver), one or more switches, a touch screen, a keyboard,
a mouse, a track ball, a track pad, and/or a voice recognition receiver.
The communication component 106 may include, but is not limited to, a
tuner and/or network interface. The storage medium 105 may be any or all
of: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette and hard disk
drive), an optical storage medium (e.g., CD-RW, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM); a
magneto-optical storage medium, a random access memory (RAM); an erasable
programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and/or EEPROM); a flash memory; or other
type of medium suitable for storing information and/or instructions in a
form readable by the processing unit 104. The programming event provider
102 be any of the following: television broadcasters; radio broadcasters;
satellite providers; cable providers; network servers; Internet file
servers; streaming content providers; or on demand content providers; and
so on. The display device 103 may be a television, a cathode ray-tube
display, a liquid crystal display, light emitting diodes, organic light
emitting diodes, and/or a speaker, or any other suitable display device.

[0026] The processing unit 104 may process the received programming signal
to store the EPG data in the storage medium 105 and determine whether to
transmit one or more portions of the plurality of programming content to
the display device 103. Such determination may include selecting
programming content tagged with a PID that specifies a particular channel
identifier. The processing unit 104 may also obtain a ratings lock
setting from the storage medium 105, compare content ratings of
programming content to the ratings lock setting, and transmit the
programming content to the display device 103 only if the content rating
is not blocked by the ratings lock setting.

[0027] The ratings lock setting may correspond to a ratings system such as
the TV parental guidelines system, the motion picture ratings system, or
a proprietary rating system utilized by the programming provider 102. For
example, the TV parental guidelines system utilizes a ranked system of
ratings including (listed from low to high) TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG,
TV-14, TV-MA, or unrated. In this case, if the ratings lock setting is
set to TV-G, the processing unit 104 may not transmit any programming
content to the display device 103 if the rating of the programming is
TV-PG, TV-14, TV-MA, or unrated.

[0028] Continuing this example, a user (such as a parent) may determine
that programs rated TV-MA are objectionable. The user may prevent the
television receiver from transmit such programs to the display device 103
by setting the ratings lock setting of the programming receiving and
decoder 101 to block programs rated TV-MA.

[0029] Still with respect to FIG. 1, the user interface component 107 may
receive a request for an EPG display. In response to the request, the
processing unit 104 may generate the EPG display based on the EPG data,
which may be retrieved from the storage medium 105, and transmit the
generated EPG display to the display device 103. The EPG display may be
rendered as a table including multiple records (such as the EPG display
300A illustrated in FIG. 3A), each record corresponding to a channel
identifier and an air time associated with programming content, organized
according to the channel identifiers and air times. Alternatively, the
EPG display may be rendered as a banner of one or more records, organized
according to air times associated with programming content displayed on
the display device. The request for the EPG display may specify
parameters identifying characteristics associated with records to include
in the display, such as a range of channel identifiers and air times.
Alternatively, the EPG display may be generated according to one or more
default characteristics associated with the records, such as a default
range of channel identifiers and air times including a channel currently
being transmitted to the display device at the current time.

[0030] Referring again to FIG. 1, although the television receiver 101 and
the display device 103 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as separate devices,
they may be incorporated into a single device without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. For example, the television receiver 101
and the display device 103 may be incorporated into a cable-ready
television.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of which may be
performed by the system 100 to alter EPG data. The system 100 may perform
the method 200 by the processing unit 104 loading and executing one or
more instructions embodied in a computer-readable and/or machine-readable
medium, such as the storage medium 105 and/or another storage medium.

[0032] In operation 210, the television receiver 101 receives a
programming signal that typically includes a plurality of programming
content and EPG data. The EPG data may include a plurality of records,
each record including a content rating and EPG display information.

[0033] In operation 220, the television receiver 101 receives a request
for an EPG display. The request may include parameters identifying
characteristics associated with records to indicate which records should
be included in the EPG display and/or how the EPG display should be
formatted. For example, the request may specify a range of channels
identifiers and air times to indicate that records associated with the
range of channel identifiers and air times should be included in the EPG
display.

[0034] In operation 230, the processing unit 104 retrieves a content
rating from the EPG data. In operation 240, the processing unit 104
retrieves a ratings lock setting from a memory.

[0035] In operation 250, the processing unit 104 compares the content
rating to the ratings lock. If the content rating exceeds the ratings
lock setting, flow proceeds to operation 260. If the content rating does
not exceed the ratings lock setting, flow proceeds to operation 280.

[0036] In operation 260, the processing unit 104 determines an alteration
to perform on the EPG data.

[0037] In an operation 270, the processing unit 104 modifies the EPG data
by altering the EPG display information based on the determined
alteration and the flow proceeds to operation 280. The processing unit
104 may record the modification to the EPG data in the storage medium
105.

[0038] The processing unit 104 may alter the EPG display information in a
variety of different manners. The manner in which the processing unit
alters the EPG display information may be determined by a setting of the
television receiver 101 and may depend on various factors such as a
current time, an air time, a content rating, and/or a channel identifier.

[0039] In operation 280, the processing unit 104 generates the EPG display
based on the EPG data. The processing unit 104 may generate the EPG
display based on the EPG data according to parameters specified in the
request for the EPG display. The processing unit 104 may generate the EPG
display based on records included in the EPG data that are associated
with characteristics specified in the parameters. For example, the
processing unit 104 may generate the EPG display based on records
included in the EPG data that are associated with channel identifiers and
air times specified in the parameters.

[0040] In an operation 290, the television receiver 101 transmits the
generated EPG display to the display device 103. The display device 103
may receive and display the generated EPG display.

[0041] By way of example, the television receiver 101 may have received a
programming signal including a plurality of programming content and EPG
data. The EPG data includes 6 records. Each of the records has a content
rating associated with the TV parental guidelines system, a channel
identifier, and an air time. Each of the records also has EPG display
information specifying how to display the record when generating an EPG
display.

[0042] In this example, the first record has a content rating of TV-MA, a
channel identifier of 1, and an air time of 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The first
record also specifies a color in which to display the first record (such
as white), an intensity for the first record, and program information of
"Title A1 Description A1 TV-MA" to display for the first
record. For the first record, Title A1 is a title of programming
event A and Description A1 is a description of programming event A.
The second record has a content rating of TV-MA, a channel identifier of
1, and an air time of 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The second record also
specifies a color in which to display the second record (such as white),
an intensity for the second record, and program information of "Title
B1 Description B1 TV-MA" to display for the second record. For
the second record, Title B1 is a title of programming event B and
Description B1 is a description of programming event B. The third
record has a content rating of TV-PG, a channel identifier of 2, and an
air time of 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The third record also specifies a color
in which to display the third record (such as white), an intensity for
the third record, and program information of "Title C1 Description
C1 TV-PG" to display for the third record. For the third record,
Title C1 is a title of programming event C and Description C1
is a description of programming event C. The fourth record has a content
rating of TV-14, a channel identifier of 3, and an air time of 6:00 PM to
6:30 PM. The fourth record also specifies a color in which to display the
fourth record (such as white), an intensity for the fourth record, and
program information of "Title D1 Description D1 TV-14" to
display for the fourth record. For the fourth record, Title D1 is a
title of programming event D and Description D1 is a description of
programming event D. The fifth record has a content rating of TV-MA, a
channel identifier of 3, and an air time of 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The fifth
record also specifies a color in which to display the fifth record (such
as white), an intensity for the fifth record, and program information of
"Title E1 Description E1 TV-MA" to display for the fifth
record. For the fifth record, Title E1 is a title of programming
event E and Description E1 is a description of programming event E.
The sixth record has a content rating of TV-G, a channel identifier of 3,
and an air time of 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The sixth record also specifies a
color in which to display the sixth record (such as white), an intensity
for the sixth record, and program information of "Title F1
Description F1 TV-G" to display for the sixth record. For the sixth
record, Title F1 is a title of programming event F and Description
F1 is a description of programming event F.

[0043] The television receiver 101 may receive a request for an EPG
display and generate the EPG display based on the EPG data that includes
these six records. FIG. 3A illustrates a sample EPG display 300A
generated by the television receiver 101 where the ratings lock setting
of the television receiver 101 is set to a rating of TV-MA or above. As
the ratings lock setting of the television receiver 101 is set to a
rating of TV-MA or above, the television receiver 101 does not modify any
of the six records when generating the EPG display 300A because the
content ratings of the six records do not exceed the ratings lock setting
of the television receiver 101.

[0044] However, if the ratings lock setting of the television receiver 101
were set to a rating of TV-PG, the television receiver 101 would modify
the first, second, fourth, and fifth records when generating an EPG
display because the content ratings of the first, second, fourth, and
fifth records would exceed the ratings lock setting of the television
receiver 101. In this case, the television receiver 101 may modify the
first, second, fourth, and fifth records when generating an EPG display
in a variety of manners. The variety of manners may include, but are not
limited to, removing (or obscuring, such as formatting to display in a
strikethrough font) the program information (or a portion thereof) to
display for the records, changing the color in which to display the
records, and/or changing the intensity (such as reducing the visual
intensity to effect a dimming or fading) for the records. The manner that
the television receiver 101 modifies the first, second, fourth, and fifth
records may be determined by settings in the television receiver 101
and/or parameters specified in the request for the EPG display.

[0045] In the case where the television receiver 101 is set to remove
program information for the records, the television receiver 101 modifies
the first, second, fourth, and fifth records by removing the program
information for the first, second, fourth, and fifth records. FIG. 3B
illustrates a sample EPG display 300B generated by the television
receiver 101 where the television receiver 101 has removed the
programming information for the first, second, fourth, and fifth records.
As shown, the display of the first, second, fourth, and fifth records
does not include the programming information for the first, second,
fourth, and fifth records.

[0046] In the case where the television receiver 101 is set to change the
color in which to display the records, the television receiver 101
modifies the first, second, fourth, and fifth records by changing the
color in which to display the first, second, fourth, and fifth records.
FIG. 3C illustrates a sample EPG display 300C generated by the television
receiver 101 where the television receiver 101 has changed the color in
which to display the first, second, fourth, and fifth records. As shown,
the first, second, fourth, and fifth records are displayed in grey. The
third and sixth records, which were not modified, are displayed in white.
It is understood that although the present case has been described
utilizing the colors grey and white, any colors maybe utilized without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,
unmodified records may specify to display the records in green and
modifying the records may change the color in which to display the
records to red or yellow.

[0047] In the case where the television receiver 101 is set to fade the
intensity for the records, the television receiver 101 modifies the
first, second, fourth, and fifth records by fading the intensity for the
first, second, fourth, and fifth records. FIG. 3D illustrates a sample
EPG display 300D generated by the television receiver 101 where the
television receiver has faded the intensity for the first, second,
fourth, and fifth records. As shown, the display of the first, second,
fourth, and fifth records is faded as compared to the display of the
third and sixth records.

[0048] In the case where the television receiver 101 is set to obscure
program information for the records by formatting the programming
information to display in a strikethrough font, the television receiver
101 modifies the first, second, fourth, and fifth records by formatting
the programming information for the first, second, fourth, and fifth
records to display in a strikethrough font. FIG. 3E illustrates a sample
EPG display 300E generated by the television receiver 101 where the
television receiver 101 has formatting the programming information for
the first, second, fourth, and fifth records to display in a
strikethrough font. As shown, the program information for the first,
second, fourth, and fifth records are displayed in a strikethrough font
and the programming information for the third and sixth records are not.

[0049] The television receiver 101 may be set to modify records that
exceed the content rating in different manners depending on the current
time when the EPG display is requested. For example, a user may set the
television receiver 101 to remove program information for EPG displays
requested before 5:00 pm (resulting in an EPG display similar to the
sample EPG display 300B shown in FIG. 3B) and to change colors for EPG
displays requested after 5:00 PM (resulting in an EPG display similar to
the sample EPG display 300C shown in FIG. 3C). The user may set the
television receiver 101 to modify records in these different manners
because their children watch television unsupervised prior to 5:00 PM
supervised after 5:00 PM.

[0050] The television receiver 101 may be set to modify records that
exceed the content rating in different manners depending on the time that
the program associated with the record will air. For example, a user may
set the television receiver 101 to remove program information for records
associated with programs that air after 7:00 pm and to change colors for
records associated with programs that air before 7:00 PM. The user may
set the television receiver 101 to modify records in these different
manners because they determine that programs that air after 7:00 PM are
more likely to contain objectionable content in their program
descriptions than programs that air prior to 7:00 PM. FIG. 3F illustrates
a sample EPG display 300F generated by the television receiver 101 where
the television receiver 101 has removed the programming information for
the second record (because it has an air time of 7:00 PM) and changed the
color in which to display the first, fourth, and fifth records (because
they have air times prior to 7:00 PM). As shown, the program information
for the second record has been removed and the first, fourth, and fifth
records are displayed in grey. The third and sixth records, which were
not modified, are displayed in white.

[0051] The television receiver 101 may be set to modify records that
exceed the content rating in different manners depending on the content
ratings of the records. For example, a user may set the television
receiver 101 to remove program information for records with content
ratings in a range of content ratings between TV-MA and unrated and to
change colors for records content ratings in a range of content ratings
including TV-14. The user may set the television receiver 101 to modify
records in these different manners because they determine that programs
with TV-MA or unrated content ratings are more likely to contain
objectionable content in their program descriptions than programs with
content ratings of TV-14. FIG. 3G illustrates a sample EPG display 300G
generated by the television receiver 101 where the television receiver
101 has removed the programming information for the first, second, and
fifth records (because they have content ratings of TV-MA) and changed
the color in which to display the fourth record (because it has a content
rating of TV-14). As shown, the program information for the first,
second, and fifth records have been removed and the fourth record is
displayed in grey. The third and sixth records, which were not modified,
are displayed in white.

[0052] The television receiver 101 may be set to modify records that
exceed the content rating in different manners depending on channel
identifiers associated with the records. For example, a user may set the
television receiver 101 to remove program information for records with
associated with channel identifiers in a set including channel 1 and to
change colors for records associated with channel identifiers in a set
including channels 2 and 3. The user may set the television receiver 101
to modify records in these different manners because they determine that
programs associated with channel 1 are more likely to contain
objectionable content in their program descriptions than programs
associated with channels 2 and 3. For example, channel 1 may be oriented
towards adult programming, such as SpikeTV® and channels 2 and 3 may
be oriented toward child or family programming, such as Nickelodeon®
or CBS®. FIG. 3H illustrates a sample EPG display 300H generated by
the television receiver 101 where the television receiver 101 has removed
the programming information for the first and second records (because
they are associated with channel 1) and changed the color in which to
display the fourth and fifth records (because they are associated with
channel 3). As shown, the program information for the first and second
records have been removed and the fourth and fifth record are displayed
in grey. The third and sixth records, which were not modified, are
displayed in white.

[0053] Although the above examples have been described as modifying EPG
data in particular manners based on particular factors, it should be
understood that EPG data may be modified in different manners and based
on different factors than those discussed above (or by combining
modifying EPG data in manners and based on factors discussed above)
without departing from the present disclosure.

[0054] In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented
as sets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it is
understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods
disclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design
preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of
steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the
disclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims present elements
of the various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to
be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0055] The described disclosure may be provided as a computer program
product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having
stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer
system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to
the present disclosure. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism
for storing information in a form (e.g., software, processing
application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The
machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic
storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette), optical storage medium (e.g.,
CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory (ROM); random
access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and
EEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storing
electronic instructions.

[0056] It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its
attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and
it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,
construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the
disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material
advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the
intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

[0057] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to
various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are
illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them.
Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible.
More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure
have been described in the context or particular embodiments.
Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in
various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different
terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and
improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in
the claims that follow.

Patent applications by Dale Llewelyn Mountain, Silsden GB

Patent applications by ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

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